Anthimus the Presbyter

ON SS. ANTHIMUS THE PRESBYTER, MAXIMUS, BASSUS AND FABIUS, MARTYRS ON THE SALARIAN WAY AMONG THE SABINES. LIKEWISE SISINNIUS THE DEACON, DIOCLETIANUS OR DIOCLETIUS AND FLORENTIUS, MARTYRS AT OSIMO IN PICENUM. LIKEWISE FALTONUS PINIANUS, AND ANICIA LUCINA HIS WIFE.

UNDER DIOCLETIAN.

Anthimus, Presbyter, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Maximus, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Bassus, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Fabius, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Sisinnius the Deacon, Martyr at Osimo in Picenum (S.)

Diocletianus or Diocletius, Martyr at Osimo in Picenum (S.)

Florentius, Martyr at Osimo in Picenum (S.)

Faltonus Pinianus, Spouse, perhaps Martyr at Rome? (S.)

Anicia Lucina, Spouse, perhaps Martyr at Rome? (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

The Acts of the glorious contest, which S. Anthimus and his six companions for the confession of the Christian faith generously completed, begin from the conversion of SS. Faltonus Pinianus and Anicia Lucina the spouses, and end with their happy death. These Acts Surius had from ancient monuments, but he prefaces that by him the style here and there had been somewhat corrected, and what seemed to make little for the history, Acts are given from various MSS.: had been omitted. We give them in their original phrasing compared from various MSS.: some we ourselves transcribed at Naples in the library of the Olivetan Fathers: some also our Antonius Beatillus transmitted thence: others also we found at Rome in the library of the Most Eminent Cardinal Barberini: others we had in MSS. codices of Trier of S. Maximinus, of Utrecht of S. Martin: others finally were transcribed for us from the codex of the Bödeken monastery of the Canons Regular in the diocese of Paderborn, by John Gamans of our Society; and from an old exemplar of the Andagne monastery of S. Hubert, by D. Romualdus Hancartius, a monk there: certain things also we have in a MS. codex sent to us from a Monastery of Westphalia, by the kindness of Bernard Rottendorf: nor were we anxious to obtain more exemplars. These Acts we judge to be very ancient, and as such B. Peter Damian alleges them in sermon XIX, which he wrote on S. Anthimus, also published by Surius but with some things cut out. We omit it, since it brings nothing new to the history, and elsewhere is sufficiently extant. Galesinius in the Notations on this XI May, whether transcribed by Notaries, writes that the Acts of S. Anthimus and his companions are thought to have been written by the Notaries of the Holy Roman Church. No legitimate form of judgment is observed in their death: but they seem to have been slaughtered by a chance encounter of the Governor, or by a sudden tumult of the populace. Meanwhile what was done in the neighboring region of the Sabines, and what in Picenum, could have been put into commentaries: and these are what in chapter one and two are reported about these Martyrs. their Appendix. But what in chapter three by way of Appendix about the virtues and death of Pinianus and Lucina is added, and is missing in the principal MSS. codices, we judge to have been later transcribed from other Acts of Saints, as we note there. In the MSS. of Bödeken and Hubert there was prefixed a Prologue, A double Prologue is omitted. in which it was said, from the work of Eusebius of Caesarea on Martyrs and divided into twelve decades, these Acts had been excerpted and rendered into Latin: which Prologue pleases us less, because various things not sufficiently congruent with truth are inserted in it; and therefore we have judged it should be omitted. Another Prologue is in the MS. Barberini with this beginning, O brother, excellent Father of the monastery, you have compelled me that I should weave with my style the Acts of Anthimus the Martyr, who tramples the perishable world, as the most learned have handed down in the manner of the ancients, and after many swelling words of a tergiversating mind, the ancient Acts are left almost unchanged. Which to have indicated suffices.

[2] The sacred memory of these Saints is inscribed in various ancient Calendars. And first the Epternach apograph of the Hieronymian Martyrology thus inaugurates this day, Sacred memory in the Calendars of S. Anthimus, V Ides of May at Rome of S. Anthimus. But the apographs of Corbie, Lucca and the Blumian one have these things: On the Salarian Way at the twenty-second milestone the birthday of S. Anthimus. The MS. Vatican of the Church of S. Peter, in the addition to the genuine Bede, and the MS. of Trier of S. Maximinus; Ado also and Notker, have these things: At Rome on the Salarian Way at the twenty-second milestone the birthday of S. Anthimus. Usuard from the Acts contracted these things: At Rome on the Salarian Way the birthday of B. Anthimus the Presbyter, who after the marks of virtues and preaching was thrown into the Tiber, and rescued thence by an Angel, restored to his own oratory, then beheaded migrated victorious to the heavens. The same things have the MSS. of Liège of S. Lawrence, and of Térouanne now preserved at Ypres in the Martyrology of Ado, under whose name the same things Peter de Natalibus relates in book 4 chapter 154, and there have followed more recent ones, Bellinus, Maurolycus, Galesinius, and others with the present Roman Martyrology, in which is added the persecution of Diocletian. and an old and famous monastery, In the MS. Acts of Naples S. Anthimus is wrongly called Bishop, nor perhaps better in a certain MS. among the Aretines did Ferrarius read him called Deacon: who therefore in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, in the Annotation on S. Anthimus, writes that this one seems different from him, whose memory on this day is celebrated at Arezzo. For the cause of celebrating S. Anthimus in the Aretine and neighboring dioceses formerly was that famous and most opulent monastery of the Blessed Martyrs of Christ Anthimus and Sebastian, which was constructed by Charles the Emperor of good memory in the county of Chiusi, at the place which is called the Valley of Starcia, as Henry III testifies in the diploma of the year MLI, by which, asked by Teuzo the Abbot, he confirmed to the same all his possessions, according to the precepts of his Predecessors exhibited to him by him, namely of the Kings and Emperors, Charles, Louis, and Lothar, and the three Ottos. The diploma is extant in Ughelli in the Appendix to volume 1 column 434: then column 436 you have the Brief of Pope Anastasius, in the year MCLIII, confirming to Guido the Abbot the privileges of the same monastery, just as it is known to have been instituted by the sanctions of John XIII, John XV, Benedict, Stephen VII, Sergius, Hadrian and other Roman Pontiffs.

[3] founded under Charlemagne and Pope Hadrian. Of these Hadrian received Charlemagne, King of the Franks and the Lombards and Patrician of the Romans then still so called, in the year DCCLXXIV and LXXXI at Rome: at one or the other time I altogether think there was given to him some part of the body of S. Sebastian, with the entire body of S. Anthimus, with which he erected the aforesaid monastery: which however from the more powerful and better known patronage under the name of Anthimus alone became almost known, and had many dependent churches throughout all Etruria, whence the cult of S. Anthimus had to be diffused everywhere through the dioceses of Siena, Chiusi and especially Arezzo: nor does it seem to be doubted, that to some Abbot of this monastery was directed the Prologue indicated above. now united to the Bishopric of Montalcino. Now the title of Abbot is transferred to the Bishop of Montalcino, in whose diocese it is situated, at the foot of the Castle of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, and the said Bishop enjoys all its possessions and rights. The author of this union was Pius II, about the year MCCCCLXII, the same who was the institutor of this and the Pienza Bishopric: which two dioceses in the year MDC were inseparably united, as Ughelli writes in volume 1 of Italia Sacra column 1068. Moreover S. Anthimus is the titular Patron of the Cathedral of Montalcino itself, and by Synodal decree of the year MDCLXVI the city and whole diocese keeps his birthday with cessation from servile work. But to that very church of his in the said monastery the greatest concourse is on the same day, although only one bone of his is now shown there, the rest (as they think) stealthily removed, and not found despite however much diligence applied: Since however under the greater altar there is an oratory, in which many bones are kept as of Saints, distinguished by no names; it is credible that they all were collected to this place, after some plundering of the sacred vessels, dispersed by military license, among which was the very ark guardian of the sacred body; and so his Relics are still held mixed with the rest, since hitherto no place has been found, which boasts that they were by some chance carried to itself.

[4] likewise the memory of SS. Maximus, Bassus and Fabius, To S. Anthimus three, mentioned in the Acts, are joined on this day in the Roman Martyrology with these words: Likewise at Rome of the holy Martyrs Maximus, Bassus and Fabius, who under Diocletian were slain on the Salarian Way. Of the same have made mention Felicius, Ghinius and Ferrarius in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy. By common usage of speech they are attributed to Rome, because they were slain on some Roman road, although far from the city itself, as all these are, on the Roman Salarian Way, which some have taken, as if it were said at Rome on the Salarian Way. And S. Anthimus indeed at the XXII milestone underwent the contest, Maximus at the XXX, Bassus at Forum-novum, of which we treat in the Life, Fabius there or not far thence. About the three other Martyrs these things are read in the Roman Martyrology on this XI May: Sisinius, Diocletius and Florentius. At Osimo in Picenum of the holy Martyrs Sisinius the Deacon, Diocletius and Florentius disciples of S. Anthimus the Presbyter, who under Diocletian overwhelmed by stones completed their martyrdom. The same on that day Felicius, Ghinius, Ferrarius report. But who in these Martyrologies is called Diocletius, in the Acts is called Diocletianus, as also in the older Martyrologies, and in S. Jerome these things are read on the day XVI May: At the city of Picenum Osimo, of Florentius, Diocletianus. Which are more clearly expressed in the MS. Vatican of the Church of S. Peter, in the addition to the genuine Martyrology of Bede, In the city of Picenum Osimo, of Florentius, Diocletianus. The same also Rabanus reports, as also Grevenus and Molanus in the Auctary of Usuard. Galesinius wrongly joins them to the Saints of Sardinia, with Bede cited, namely in the supposititious Martyrology: in which these things are had. In Sardinia the birthday of Simplicius the Presbyter and S. Rosula (about whom we treat on XV May). And of SS. Diocletianus and Florentius, with no place indicated. But who in the last place are referred to in the title, Faltonus Pinianus and his wife Anicia Lucina, have a cult on the preceding day in Notker Balbulus with these words: VI Ides of May the deposition of B. Job the Prophet. At Rome of Falto Piniana (where it should be read Pinianus) and Anicia Lucina his wife, Faltonus Pinianus and Anicia Lucina. with the other Martyrs, namely those whom we have reported with them. Rabanus inaugurates the same day thus: VI Ides of the Saints Falto Pilianus (rather Pinianus) and the other Martyrs. The Acts of all these we illustrate on this day.

[5] Where now the Relics of SS. Bassus and Fabius are preserved, we have not learned. At Bologna the Relics of SS. Fabius Masinus in Bologna Surveyed reports on this XI May, the Body of S. Fabius the Martyr to be deposited in the church of the Capuchin Fathers outside the gate of S. Mamolo, drawn from the sacred places of Rome with the faculty of Gregory XV in the year MDCXXII, and obtained through the mediation of Lavinia Albergati Ludovisi, Duchess of Fano, and at the request of Paul Mortarius the Notary in the year MDCXXXVIII on the day XVIII February by Francis Maria Sinibaldus, Vicar General of Cardinal Ludovicus Ludovisi Archbishop of Bologna, was recognized. The same Masinus writes that the notable Relics of S. Bassus the Martyr, and Bassus, perhaps of these Martyrs? at Rome in the year MDCLII on the day XIII May were received, and then deposited at Bologna in the church of S. John in the Mountain. But that these are the Relics of these SS. Bassus and Fabius, who can affirm with certainty? John Baldius, in the book written on the Saints of Osimo, [the bodies of SS. Sisinius, Diocletius and Florentius from their own church and monastery] judges the bodies of SS. Sisinius the Deacon, Diocletius, or Diocletianus, and Florentius to have lain in that place where they were first buried, until S. Leopardus Bishop of Osimo (about whom we shall treat on VII November) constructed there a church: to which afterwards a monastery was added, both endowed with ample possessions. These however in the course of time, as it happens, being dispersed, an immense sum of money was bequeathed by Nicolaus de Romanis of Osimo, who was secretary to Gregory XI Roman Pontiff, to be expended on the restoration of the church and monastery. There was afterwards Bishop of Osimo Andrew, originating from Castel-Monticulo, whom he writes to have sat there from the year MCCCCXXXIV until the year MCCCCLIV in Ughelli in volume 1 of Italia Sacra in the Bishops of Osimo. In whose time, he says, as also of S. Maximus brought to Osimo: and by whose order the bodies of the holy Martyrs Florentius, Sisinius, Diocletius and Maximus, from the monastery of S. Florentius, into the Cathedral church were honorably translated. That this was done on this XI May in the year MCCCCXXXVII Baldius adds; and their feast (because their bodies are there enshrined) he prescribes to be celebrated under the rite of double in the Saints' festivities, which from the ancient custom of the Church of Osimo are celebrated with double Office, published in the year MDCLVI by the order of the Most Eminent Cardinal Antonius Bichi Bishop of Osimo.

[6] hitherto preserved in the crypt. We, by the said Cardinal at Osimo in the year MDCLX, on the V December most kindly received, venerated the sacred Relics. There is a crypt under the choir equaling the breadth of the whole temple, and supported by a double row of eight columns: at the right of those entering occurs first the body of S. Benevenutus in a marble tomb with his altar: one row then has three altars, of which the middle one, before the hemicycle of the crypt under an old marble carved ark, has the bodies of SS. Florentius, Sisinius, Diocletius and Maximus: in the right one, similarly under an ark, rests the body of S. Leopardus the first Bishop of Osimo. About these and other Saints there resting we have treated on XXII March in the Life of S. Benevenutus the Bishop num. 13. The place of martyrdom, where the said monastery of S. Florentius had been constructed, now displays nothing except some ruins; and out of these a small structure built, in which an effigy of the Crucified is visited, famous for miracles: for from it drops of blood, in the part where the thorns were impressed on his head, once flowed down, an augury of imminent calamity: and these enclosed in crystal are preserved at Osimo. These things at greater length Baldius. Moreover the name of Diocletius seems assumed, lest the most impious tyrant Diocletian should seem to be reckoned among the Martyrs. Bucelinus in the Benedictine Sacrarium asserts, that the sacred bodies of these rest in the monastery of S. Simplicianus at Milan. But deceived by the name of Sisinius Bucelinus joined to him Diocletianus and Florentius, all disciples of S. Anthimus, crowned at Osimo: for that the bodies of SS. Sisinius, Martyrius and Alexander, Martyrs in the Tridentine territory, are at Milan in the said church of S. Simplicianus, we shall say in their Acts on the day XXIX May.

ACTS

From eight ancient codices in MS.

Anthimus, Presbyter, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Maximus, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Bassus, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Fabius, Martyr on the Salarian Way among the Sabines (S.)

Sisinnius the Deacon, Martyr at Osimo in Picenum (S.)

Diocletianus or Diocletius, Martyr at Osimo in Picenum (S.)

Florentius, Martyr at Osimo in Picenum (S.)

Faltonus Pinianus, Spouse, perhaps Martyr at Rome? (S.)

Anicia Lucina, Spouse, perhaps Martyr at Rome? (S.)

BHL Number: 0561, 0562

FROM MSS.

CHAPTER I.

SS. Pinianus the Proconsul and Lucina converted, and baptized through SS. Anthimus and Sisinius. Benefits bestowed on captives.

[1] Sergius Terentianus an illustrious man, a second time Prefect of the City, took as wife ^a Protina the niece of Gallienus Augustus, born from his daughter ^b Gallia: from whom were born Claudius, Pompeianus, and ^c Lucina: whom he gave in marriage to ^d Faltonius Pinianus, Pinianus, with Chaeremon punished, falls ill. who, when he had this woman as wife, was sent as Proconsul of Asia, having received the codicils from Diocletian and Maximian Augusti; whose Counselor, ^e Chaeremon by name, perverted in sacrilegious mind, with various kinds of punishments while he was killing Christians, was seized by a demon, fell from his carriage, and publicly through many spaces of hours vexed by the devil, and invoking the Saints whom he had killed, expired. Seeing these things Pinianus, seized with excessive fear, fell into a sickness, so that it was asserted, that by no means could he be freed from the same sickness.

[2] Seeing then Lucina his wife, a most prudent woman, Lucina the wife brings to him SS. Anthimus and Sisinius, that this langour had befallen him through that which, polluted by the slaughter of Christians, he had opened in himself an entrance to the enemy, sought out the Confessors of Christ who were held in chains, and had them brought to her secretly: among whom were Anthimus the ^f Presbyter and Sisinius the Deacon, and the others religious men, Maximus, Bassus ^g, Fabius ^h, Diocletianus and Florentius: to whom she said: Make my husband to be freed from this infirmity, and I will honor you with most worthy reward, and will make you go free wherever you wish. To whom Anthimus said: If you wish your husband to escape, exhort him to become a Christian, and at once you will receive him healthy. When she had heard these things, filled with no small joy, going to her husband, she said: How many physicians and chief-physicians and learned ones have come to you, and by no reason could cure you? I have found men, who assert they will receive nothing; but they affirm this, that if you are willing to be a Christian, at once you will be able to rejoice in recovered health. Hearing this her husband said: He is a great fool who does not believe this to be the true God, she leads him to him: who restores despaired-of health, and recalls to life those for whom now the sepulcher is prepared. Then Lucina going out brought in to him Anthimus the Presbyter and Sisinius the Deacon.

[3] these instruct him And when they had entered the chamber, where Pinianus himself lay half-alive, and he had asked them to sit, they said: We have not come to sit, but to do something, that you may be cured. Pinianus said to them: Do then something so that I may be freed from these fevers. Anthimus said to him: Let the arts of physicians cease here, where the sole virtue of Christ succours. Pinianus said: Let it succour me through you, that I may believe, that He also alone is omnipotent God. Anthimus said to him: Prepare your breast that you may believe what I shall tell you, and when you have believed, you will be saved. Pinianus said to him: I unless I had believed with my whole heart, would not have made you enter to me. Anthimus said to him: Hear therefore what you should believe: the mystery of the Trinity, Whom we worship, is one God, who made heaven and earth, sea and all things which are in them. This God brought forth from His mouth the Word full of virtue; by which Word the heavens were established and by the spirit of His mouth every virtue of them: by whom the waters of the sea were gathered as in a wineskin, and placed in the treasures of the abyss. But God whom we ought to believe, although He is triune, nevertheless is one: the Father, who from His heart belched forth the good Word, from whom are all things; the Son, who is the speech, whom the Father belched forth, through whom were made all things which were made; the holy Spirit also, in whom are animated all things, whatsoever are created by the Father through the Son. But God made man like to Himself, on whom He imposed a law; which if he had kept, he would have obtained eternal life. ⁱ But the envious angel by his persuasion brought it about that he broke the imposed law: whence it came about that he came into death. of the Incarnation, Therefore the Word through whom all things were made, who is the Son of God, deigned to assume man, being born from a virginal womb: who being made man, having in Himself the whole virtue of the omnipotent Father, overcoming all the temptations of the devil, came to the wood of the cross; that the wood of the death-bringing transgression He might exclude by the wood of His passion; and the life, which man had lost, by dying for sinners He might repair. He therefore on the third day rose from the dead, and manifesting Himself to all His disciples to be seen for forty days, gave them this power, of the Cross, that in His name they might expel demons from men, and laying hand on the sick restore health to them; cure also all pains and infirmities, and even raise up the dead. the grace given of cures: After these things, He having proceeded with them to the mountain, the heavens were opened over Him, and as they looked He ascended into heaven. But to the disciples astonished there appeared Angels, who said to them: Men of Galilee, why stand you looking into heaven? This Jesus Christ Son of God will so come, as you have seen Him going into heaven. In His name therefore we lay hands on you, believing that He may fulfill His promise.

[4] Then Pinianus, extending his hands on his bed, said: Christ, and they heal him surrounded with divine light, whom I never knew to be God, except now from the mouth of those who know You; before I become a Christian, I confess and believe that You will restore to me the health, which all the physicians say I cannot recover. Then there prostrated themselves on their faces Anthimus the Presbyter and Sisinius the Deacon, praying with one mind. While they were pouring out prayers to God, suddenly a shining splendor appeared, which remaining for nearly a half hour, gradually departed. Rising however from prayer they say to Pinianus: Arise, for Christ the Son of God has visited you, in whom you have believed. And at once raising himself he sat upon his bed, in which he had lain: and as if step by step turning himself, he descended from it, and standing on his feet began to move himself wholly sound, and to say with a most clear voice: You are the true God, Christ, who restored me, despaired of, to entire health. and they baptize him with his household. Then they also called those who had been with them in prison, that is Maximus, Bassus, Fabius, Diocletianus, Florentius: and praying together they taught Pinianus and Lucina his wife the word of truth and perfection, and through seven days they instructed them in all the law of justice, and teaching the mystery of Christ, baptized Pinianus himself, and Lucina his wife, and all who pertained to their ^k household and inheritance.

[5] After health was recovered, for one year ^l Pinianus remained in his house: in which space all Christians from the metals and from the workhouses, Pinianus dismisses captives: but also from the prisons he ordered to be taken, and brought to him. To all whom according to the doctrine of B. Anthimus and Sisinius washing their feet, he kissed their hands, and bestowing expenses and giving vehicles he made them return rejoicing to their own. After these things, leading with him many Christians Pinianus came to the City, and as the report spread it was said: This Pinianus has brought Christians with him. And because they were many and could not be together in one place, he divided dwellings to them through his estates in the ^m province of Picenum, which he possessed near the ⁿ city of Osimo. And he gave an estate to Sisinius, Diocletianus and Florentius: who had with them many others, He sends the Saints away through various estates. with whom they were free for God and the praises of Christ: in which conversing without any trouble through three years, in this order they came to the palm of martyrdom.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

The slaughter of seven Martyrs accomplished in various ways.

[6] Of these Sisinius, Diocletianus, Florentius are killed by stones There was there an assembly of those, who sacrificing, once in three years said responses were given to them. These when they had assembled, and were exercising their accustomed impieties with wicked sacrifices, they say they had received such responses: that unless Sisinius, Diocletianus and Florentius were willing to sacrifice, to them they could no longer give the customary responses. Then dragged by the people violently, when they refused to sacrifice, they were killed with stones, and abandoned under the very mountain of stones. In which place, after the departure of the malign people, the Christians cleansed the place, and there buried the holy Martyrs of God: in which place also their prayers abound with benefits, even to the present day in the city of Osimo.

[7] But Anthimus the Presbyter not far from the city of Rome ^a, at the twenty-second milestone on the Salarian Way, near the estates of Pinianus lay hidden. Now it happened that while peasants were sacrificing to their Silvanus, the very one who ^b was ^c the leader of those sacrificing, seized by the fury of the devil, was striking through with the sword all who met him. S. Anthimus frees the energumen, And when all were fleeing, it was announced to Anthimus that he had now killed many, and raging by the devil was striking all whom he could meet. He praying and commending himself to God, met him, and said: In the name of the Lord my God Jesus Christ, stand bound with spiritual chains; and cast away the sword, which you have taken up for the killing of men. At this voice he stood, did so: and at once Anthimus the Presbyter took him, and led him to his dwelling, free for fastings and prayers within three days, so that he restored him to his mind, and even made him a Christian: who with his wife and sons believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, but also caused many to be converted and to believe, so that he burned the very grove of Silvanus ^d with fire, returning to him this turn that he had sent on him such a demon, through which he had slaughtered innocent men.

[8] Then the unbelievers detained Priscus the Proconsul passing by, saying to him: Through Anthimus all the idols are overthrown, and every grove burned. thrown into the Tiber, he is rescued by an Angel, Then Priscus the Consular ordered him to be held by the people, and impelled to sacrifice. But when he despised their threats and seditions, they bound a stone on his neck, and cast him into the middle of the Tiber. But an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in the Tiber, and broke his bonds, and called him back to the cell of his prayer. But when in the morning the Gentiles saw the Christians coming to him in their accustomed manner, they began insulting to say: Go to your Anthimus at the bottom of the Tiber, where he lies submerged. The Christians however said: We have seen Anthimus the servant of God healthy, and he has blessed us in the accustomed manner: he is unharmed, and no spot is in him. and converts his persecutors, Then they began to say among themselves: We dragged him by the foot, and left no member of his sound, and with our hands with a stone tied to his neck headlong into the middle wave of the Tiber we cast him: how do these affirm these things? Then entering one by one, they observed him healthy preaching to the people. Then nearly all, who had cast him into the Tiber, falling at his knees, doing penance, were baptized.

[9] At the inquiry then of Priscus the Consular, such an accusation was made about him; and is beheaded. that not only could he not have been killed, but also all who had attempted to kill him, he had converted to the faith of Christ. Then Priscus ordered him to be brought to him, whom holding through three days in chains and in tortures, when by no reason he could be brought to this that he should sacrifice to the idols, he had him beheaded. Whose body the people took, who through him had been converted, and placed it in his own oratory where he had been wont to pray ^e: in which place benefits are bestowed through his prayers, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory forever and ever.

[10] But Maximus ^f they began to venerate, who had been the inseparable friend of Anthimus. S. Maximus prohibits his defense: Then to Priscus the Proconsul said the enemies of the Christian faith: What does it profit that you have killed Anthimus? Behold Maximus his friend invites a larger people to himself ^g. So with attendants sent to seize him, the people began to prevent it. Maximus said to them: Do not, my little sons, hinder my departure. And constantly intrepid he went. To whom Priscus the Proconsul said: Are you the one who turns aside the ceremonies of the Princes, and makes all the Provincials withdraw from the worship of the Gods? Maximus said to him ^h: Would that we could tear yourself away from their worship and restore you to your Creator! Then indignant Priscus ordered him to be beaten with cudgels and impelled to sacrifice. beaten with cudgels he is beheaded: But fixed in God's name remaining, he too was beheaded: and was snatched up by the Christians, and placed on the Salarian Way at the thirtieth milestone from the City of Rome, in the same place where he had been wont to pray: and his birthday is celebrated ⁱ on the fourteenth of the Kalends of November: with our Lord Jesus Christ reigning forever and ever. Amen.

[10] But Bassus remaining in the same place, where Maximus the Martyr had been placed, S. Bassus by his breath shatters the idols, exhorted the people of believers, that in the passion of the Saints they should rather rejoice than mourn. Now it happened that the people gathered to a market, in the place which is called ^k Forum-novum, where sacrifices were being made to Liber the Father and to Ceres. Then they took Bassus and led him saying: Sacrifice to God Liber, who gives us full vineyards; and to the Goddess Ceres, who gives fertile harvests. Then Bassus said to them: God in heaven is, who gives the early and the late rain, He himself gives us all things which are necessary to life: but your idols are dead and without voice and soul, and can succour neither themselves nor others. Saying these things he breathed upon them, is killed: and they fell, and all were broken. Then the people rushing upon him, some with fists, some with heels and cudgels so long beat him, until he breathed forth his spirit. Fabius then they handed over to the Consular. as also S. Fabius. Who macerated by long custody, when he was utterly unwilling to sacrifice to the demons, he too was beheaded. So it was done, that all these, namely Anthimus, Maximus, Bassus, and Fabius were placed in those places, where they had been wont to pray, near the Salarian Way, which sends to Picenum. But Sisinnius and Diocletianus and Florentius in the same place, where they were overwhelmed with stones near the city, named Osimo, which is set on a mountain summit. ^l Of whose martyrdom the city itself has great rejoicing, and from their merits with God the help of intercession.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Appendix on the slaughter of SS. Pinianus and Lucina, and other Saints.

[11] S. Pinianus dies piously. But Pinianus the most illustrious and most Christian man, after many benefits expended on the faithful Christians, after many estates given over to the Churches, after many trials endured for Christ, with good faith and confession migrated to the Lord, receiving from all these the reward of eternal retribution, and with the holy Martyrs the triumph of everlasting glory, with whom most splendidly and most happily he was crowned with laurel forever. Lucina however, his left wife, day and night persisting in prayer and reading, exhibited a most chaste obedience to God. She was indeed elegant in body, but more elegant in sanctity.

[12] When she was striving above her strength, and exercising three-day fasts; there appeared to her ^a S. Sebastian Martyr of the Lord; and indicated to her the place, S. Lucina buries S. Sebastian in which his body had been thrown by the sacrilegious. Which when she had taken up and buried, the venerable Lucina herself related, that S. Sebastian himself had warned her, that she should use a little wine, according to the precept of the Apostle Paul, and be content with daily fasting. 1 Tim. 5 And since all the Priests of the Lord, from him she receives precepts of living: hidden because of persecution, cannot, he says, come to you, that while they are saying Masses, having received the blessing, you may be refreshed; at the hour at which a little crow shall come to you, and shall bring you a nut, this in the name of Christ do not refuse to receive; and when you have received this, take the food which has been prepared for you in the customary manner. To whom when S. Lucina had answered, why a nut, and not something else? she asserted that S. Sebastian had answered her: because the two testaments of the Law contain the four Gospels; which two testaments, the bark, the index of bitterness, by which they had been covered, leave behind.

[13] Now let us turn to describing this miracle. When the Lord's day, or by the passion of Martyrs, or an annual solemnity was to be kept, about the fifth hour the little crow coming bore a nut in its mouth, of wonderful size and wonderful savor. But on other days at every time it came at None. Now it happened at that time, that there was a certain woman ^b Beatrix by name, the sister of Simplicius and Faustinus, she dwells with S. Beatrix who for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ near the Sextus of Philip, on the Portuensian Way, were beheaded on the fourth of the Kalends of August. This Beatrix as we have said their sister, after she had given burial to her brothers Martyrs of Christ, came to the venerable Lucina and stayed with her for seven months, in which whole space always two little crows at the aforesaid times came with single nuts. It happened however, that a certain estate, which had been common to Beatrix with her brothers, a neighboring possessor, named Lucretius, coveted. So he caused Beatrix to be seized, and led to sacrifice. And when she had stood in the name of God, whom slain he buries: the ambitious Lucretius caused her to be strangled by night by his servants; whom S. Lucina with her brothers there at Sextus Philippi buried. Entering then the estate of the Saints, the murderer soon punished by divine power. Lucretius made a banquet for his friends: in which insulting the saints of the Lord, while he was feasting, and there was there a woman nursing her son, that little infant wrapped in cloths uttered a voice in the banquet saying: Hear, Lucretius, because you have killed and invaded, you are given into the possession of the enemy. At this voice Lucretius grew pale, and trembling seized him: and at once also Satan entered into him, there in the banquet for three hours he tormented him, until he took his spirit. So great a fear seized all who were present at the banquet, that all together fled to the Christians, and made Christians narrated to all, the passion of S. Beatrix the Virgin avenged at the banquet.

[14] she understands some peace is to be given But Lucina when she fled, terrified by the harshness of the passion, S. Beatrix herself appeared to her saying: Do not depart, because in this month peace will be given to the Churches of Christ; which also was done. ^c For Artemia daughter of the Emperor Diocletian the devil seized; and when no one could approach her, it was said that Cyriacus the Christian could succour her. Who when he had been brought, on the occasion of Artemia daughter of Diocletian, the devil began to confess to him whither he would migrate, and that in his migration he would also fatigue Cyriacus himself, saying: If you cast me out from the daughter of the Roman Emperor, I will enter into the daughter of the King of the Persians, there I will make you come to me, vexed by the fatigue of a long journey. To whom Cyriacus said: You go out in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, for to me will not be wanting the help of God, wherever I shall proceed to expel you. And at once Satan went out from her, and she was made healthy. And a house was given to Cyriacus near the Diocletian baths, where a multitude of Christians gathered. But a sedition arose in the people, so that they cried; Take away Cyriacus. Then Diocletian the Emperor addressed the Romans, saying: Are you still not satiated with Christians? one Christian remains, and Iobia daughter of Sapor freed from demons: and this one you wish to kill? Understanding the mind of the Prince, they were silent, and further had no suggestion to him on this matter. But the worst demon entering into the daughter of Sapor King of the Persians, began to cry out, I do not go out from here, unless Cyriacus comes from the city of Rome to me. Whence it came about, that with an embassy sent to the King of the Romans by the King of the Persians, Cyriacus the man of God should proceed to Persia. Where when he had come, the demon began to say to him; Did I not tell you, that I would fatigue you here? Cyriacus says to him; And did I not tell you, that my God would not abandon me? Behold I have come healthy, without weariness; behold also from here I cast you out in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, and all your colleagues I will cast out from the bodies they possess. The demon says to him, give me a casket which I may enter: and I go out. Cyriacus says to him; I will not give you the casket of another, but behold my casket, if you can, enter. Then sending forth a most foul howling of dire voice, he departed.

[15] she buries SS. Memmia and Juliana After these things Lucina received Cyriacus returned to Rome, with Largus and Smaragdus the eunuchs, who with two virgin ladies their mistresses Memmia and Juliana had been converted: which virgins when each had a betrothed, Tarpeius and Persius, they explained to them such sacred things, by which they were said to be deserving of punishment, unless they offered libations to the gods. But when they had consented neither to marriage, nor to sacrifice, in their own field on the Ostian Way they were killed. And it was said to Tarpeius and Persius: Cyriacus is the friend of the Emperor, if you do not take him away, he will make complaint against you and you will perish. Then they laid wait for him, Cyriacus, Largus and Smaragdus. and finding him in the place where he had buried martyrs praying, there so long they beat him, until from the body he went out. And this one blessed Lucina buried, with Largus and Smaragdus, and Memmia, and Juliana. she dies at age 95. She herself however completed an age of ninety-five years, in which whole space she did not cease from the work of alms ^d, from prayer, from fasting, in hymns and canticles, in the perfection of faith and chastity: and with all good and holy, herself also good and holy, proceeded to the Lord, to whom is honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.